Angel fish head rotting??

[ReefGuy1234]

I got a Cora beauty angel a very long time ago and ever Since his face looks like it’s been rotting. It doesn’t seem to bother him and he is fine I think but I’m just curious to what it is. I’ve never seen anything online or anywhere like it. Also that’s the only pic I have and it hasn’t healed yet.

 

[Thomas Jedlicka]

It is hard to see the area in the photo you are referring to, however, I am assuming what you are experiencing is commonly called "Hole in the Head" or "Head or Lateral Line Erosion" (HLLE). It is not known what directly causes this but stressors can be linked to poor water quality and diet. Such stressors can lead to HLLE however it may not affect every fish. Certain species are more predisposed to catch HLLE such as surgeonfish/tangs and Angelfish. It is more similar to a condition versus disease, so it is treatable with the right steps taken.

Here is a study on HLLE by none other than @Jay Hemdal which covers the topic quite well. It is a good source to learn a lot about the topic and possible treatments. It also has photos to view and confirm if this is indeed what your fish has. Keep in mind it ranges in severity so what your CB has could be far less severe than what is displayed in his study.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/head-and-lateral-line-erosion-hlle.767945/

Here is another link that showcases more examples and the different forms HLLE can display as with a few suggestions to cause of your fish's conditions. However, Jay's post will go far more in-depth.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

 

[ReefGuy1234]

It is hard to see the area in the photo you are referring to, however, I am assuming what you are experiencing is commonly called "Hole in the Head" or "Head or Lateral Line Erosion" (HLLE). It is not known what directly causes this but stressors can be linked to poor water quality and diet. Such stressors can lead to HLLE however it may not affect every fish. Certain species are more predisposed to catch HLLE such as surgeonfish/tangs and Angelfish. It is more similar to a condition versus disease, so it is treatable with the right steps taken.

Here is a study on HLLE by none other than @Jay Hemdal which covers the topic quite well. It is a good source to learn a lot about the topic and possible treatments. It also has photos to view and confirm if this is indeed what your fish has. Keep in mind it ranges in severity so what your CB has could be far less severe than what is displayed in his study.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/head-and-lateral-line-erosion-hlle.767945/

Here is another link that showcases more examples and the different forms HLLE can display as with a few suggestions to cause of your fish's conditions. However, Jay's post will go far more in-depth.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

Thanks that’s very helpful and I know that the picture is hard to see I can really get a good one.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks that’s very helpful and I know that the picture is hard to see I can really get a good one.

If you can try to another picture, taken under white light, that might help. Sometimes, a short video, also taken under white light is easier for folks to get.

Jay

 

[ReefGuy1234]

If you can try to another picture, taken under white light, that might help. Sometimes, a short video, also taken under white light is easier for folks to get.

Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Still pretty blue, but it looks like it could be HLLE.

Jay

 

[homer1475]

Was just going to say, it looks like text book HLLE to me.

I had a yellow eye kole develop this after a few years, was no where near as bad as your is. I started feeding it food soaked in selcon, and it all healed up.

HLLE has been contributed to everything from carbon dust, to poor water quality, to poor diet. No idea what it was in my tank that caused it, but feeding the fish vitamin soaked foods stopped the progression, and it healed up.